The Art Scene in Georgia’s Golden Isles: Art Galleries, Classes & Events

The Golden Isles of Georgia are known for their natural beauty—but you’ll also find a vibrant and growing art scene that invites both locals and visitors to explore, create, and be inspired.

From art galleries showcasing regional talent to community studios offering hands-on classes, there’s no shortage of creative spaces to discover. Whether you’re strolling through an exhibit or picking up a paintbrush for the first time, the Golden Isles offer something for every art lover.

The three largest communities in the Golden Isles are Brunswick, St. Simons Island, and Jekyll Island and that’s where you’ll find the amazing galleries, festivals and spots to create.

Art Galleries in the Golden Isles

In this section, we explore galleries across the Golden Isles, but organized by location to help you discover the local talent (and beyond) that make this area a haven for art lovers.

Brunswick Art Galleries

• The Mildred Wilcox Gallery is located within the historic Ritz Theatre in downtown Brunswick. New exhibits open monthly as a part of the Brunswick Art Loop on the first Thursday of each month from 5-7pm. Other galleries and specialty shops participating in the Art Loop are noted below.
• The Gallery on Newcastle is located in an 1888 building which has been lovingly restored by the artist whose work is featured here – Janet Powers. Her work includes oil landscapes of area marshland.
• SoGlo Gallery (South of Gloucester) also participates in the Brunswick Art Loop each month and features rotating exhibits. They’re found at 1413 Newscastle Street.
• Rummage is located on Reynolds Street downtown and features a number of local artists as well as affordable reproductions mixed with antiques and more. A few of the local artists represented at Rummage include Rob Carroll, Ester Deen, Beth Fletcher and Ashley Holmes. Rummage participates in each month’s Brunswick Art Loop.
• The Brunswick Library , like several other art galleries in the Golden Isles, features a different area artist each month and opens the exhibit of their work to coincide with the Brunswick Art Loop.
• Makers Brunswick is a personal favorite of ours and they’re also featured below in the Hands On section. What started from a girls’ trip to Haiti has evolved into a haven representing “makers” from all over the world as well as locally. You’ll find clothing, jewelry and so much more here. They also participate in the Brunswick Art Loop.

As you make your rounds of the galleries, you’re bound to need a bite to eat. We’ve got you covered with a great list of all the restaurants to try in Brunswick.

St. Simons Island Art Galleries

• Julep Gallery is located in Redfern Village. This colorful gallery features the work of local and regional artists as well as the newly added home and giftware section.
• Dutchmans Art Gallery is a newcomer to the scene and the gallery is located upstairs from the longtime island favorite Dutchman’s Casual Living store. They showcase all original work by local artists and you can find them at 20 Airport Plaza.
• Live Oak Shop is located within the Golden Isles Welcome Center at 529 Beachview Drive on St. Simons Island. You might think of a visitors’ center as an unlikely place to find art, but this is a real hidden gem with a carefully curated collection.
• ArtTrends Gallery is owned and operated by the seven artists whose work is featured there. The styles range from contemporary to traditional, and abstract to realistic – meaning there is something to appeal to every collector. Find them at 3305 Frederica Road.
• Anderson Fine Art Gallery is considered a “destination” gallery and per their website “represent an outstanding group of professional and emerging artists with a selection of landscapes, still life, figurative, interiors.” See the “Hands On…” section below for information on their workshops.
• Glynn Visual Arts is committed to building a thriving arts community that nourishes our vibrant Coastal culture. When you first enter the building you are in the Portman Gallery, which features a rotating exhibition of a variety of mediums and styles – typically one artist at a time. More below in the “Hands On…” section.

Jekyll Island Art Galleries

• Goodyear Cottage Gallery is located within the Goodyear Cottage in the Jekyll Island National Historic District. Rotating exhibits (typically one per month) represent a variety of mediums and styles. See more in the “Hands On” section below about Jekyll Island Arts Association.

Besides the gallery, there are lots of other great things to do on Jekyll. Make a day of it – or two!

Hands-on Art: Studios, Classes & Workshops

• Jekyll Island Arts Association offers a variety of classes throughout the year. All classes take place in the Goodyear cottage within the Jekyll Island National Historic District.
• Glynn Visual Arts (located on St. Simons Island) offers classes for all ages, abilities, budgets, and passions. There is a variety including class series and open studios. Contact them for details.
• Makers Brunswick says “Encourage your inner artist to make”. They offer a variety of classes and events as well as “drop in anytime” projects where they provide the materials and guidance.
• Anderson Fine Art Gallery on St. Simons Island offers a wide range of workshops for beginning and professional artists alike. Taught by professional artists and art educators, they offer instruction in painting, drawing, and mixed media. 

For the non-artsy members of your group, you can find lots of fun things to do in Brunswick and things to do on St. Simons that they’ll love too!

Art Festivals & Creative Events in the Golden Isles

• Art in the Park is a juried festival held in the village of St. Simons Island each spring. Visit the Glynn Visual Arts website for specific dates and more information.
• Annual Big Photo Show is the showcase of the Coastal Photographers Guild. It’s held in the summer in downtown Brunswick in the SoGlo Gallery.
• Brunswick Art Loop is held on the first Thursday of each month from 5-7pm. Participating shops and galleries are open for you to browse, meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments.
• Art Under the Oaks is a weekend-long juried festival held in September in the St. Simons Island Pier Village. Host is Glynn Visual Arts.

Want to stay in the loop about all the coastal Georgia goodness? Join our “Coastal Insider” family and we’ll keep you posted on everything happening from Savannah to St. Mary’s. We’re talking new restaurants, hidden gem boutiques perfect for treasure hunting, and events that’ll have you feeling like a local in no time.

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